Joe Silva’s Shoes: What’s next for UFC 168’s winners?

“UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva II” was an event with high stakes as all five main-card fights affected the upper tier of their respective divisions.

Chris Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) successfully defended his UFC middleweight title for the first time as he rematched Anderson Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC) in the main event of the evening. Ronda Rousey (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) also held on to her belt with another submission win over Miesha Tate (14-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC).

Moving down the card, Travis Browne (16-1-1 MMA, 7-1-1 UFC) further announced himself as the next major contender in the heavyweight division with a knockout of Josh Barnett (33-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC). And to round out the main card, Jim Miller (23-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) and Dustin Poirier (15-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) posted stoppage wins.

After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next. And with another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Joe Silva’s (and Sean Shelby’s) shoes, and play UFC matchmaker.

DUSTIN POIRIERShould fight: Dennis SiverWhy they should fight: Poirier and Siver (22-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) both picked up quality wins at UFC 168, and considering they are on an identical fight schedule and seemingly free of injuries, Shelby’s job just became quite easy.

The UFC featherweight division has a lot of moving parts, but more clarity should come to light over the course of the next few UFC events with Jose Aldo and Ricardo Lamas set to scrap for the belt at the next PPV event.

Cub Swanson handed both Poirier and Siver their most recent loss, but a couple more wins for either fighter could get them right back into title discussions.

JIM MILLERShould fight: Edson BarbozaWhy they should fight: After an impressive comeback win over Danny Castillo earlier this month at UFC on FOX 9, Edson Barboza (13-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) is clearly ready for a major lift in competition. That’s what Miller represents.

Miller may not ever find himself back on the short list of title contenders, but he’s certainly still a top 10 fighter who can separate the pretenders from the contenders. That’s perfect for Barboza since it’s still difficult to gauge which side of that line he sits on.

Barboza has lost just once in eight UFC appearances, which means it’s time to stop grooming the Brazilian and see what he’s really made of against a tested veteran in Miller.

The relentless pace and high-level grappling of Miller is the perfect combination to give Barboza everything he can handle and more. If he can get through the challenge, then the sky’s the limit.

TRAVIS BROWNEShould fight: Fabricio WerdumWhy they should fight: This matchup was determined well before UFC 168, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should take place in early 2014.

Browne and Werdum (17-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) are the top two contenders in the heavyweight division, and with champion Cain Velasquez recovering from his recent shoulder surgery, the winner will likely meet him in his comeback fight.

RONDA ROUSEYShould fight: Sara McMannWhy they should fight: It was thought Cat Zingano would be next in line for Rousey following her second victory over Tate, but the UFC threw fans a curveball at the post-fight press conference and announced the champion will defend her belt against Sara McMann (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in eight weeks at UFC 170.

McMann hasn’t fought since winning her UFC debut in April, but despite the wrestler’s inactivity, the fight with Rousey will be one of the most significant in women’s MMA history since it pits Olympic medalist vs. Olympic medalist.

CHRIS WEIDMANShould fight: Vitor BelfortWhy they should fight: After Weidman defeated Silva for a second time, his upcoming title fight with Vitor Belfort (24-10 MMA, 13-6 UFC) will signify the first step in a new generation of the middleweight division.

For the first time since 2006, a 185-pound title fight won’t include “The Spider,” and it should be an exhilarating one.

Belfort has been on a path of a terror with consecutive head-kick knockouts of top 10 fighters Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold and Dan Henderson in 2013. “The Phenom” came up short in his title opportunity with Silva back in 2011, but anyone who closely follows the sport realizes Belfort is a better fighter than he showed that night.

Weidman and Belfort are both very well-rounded and dangerous in a variety of disciplines. That means their eventual clash should make for a heart-racing piece of violence.

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is probably the greatest female fighter on the planet, which is a tremendous feat. So why are we seemingly so obsessed with arguing about whether she could beat up men?